Oklahoma City National Memorial
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The Oklahoma City National Memorial is the largest memorial of its kind in the United States of America. It honors the victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were changed by the Oklahoma City Bombing on April 19, 1995. The memorial is located in downtown Oklahoma City on the former site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which was destroyed in the 1995 bombing.
The outdoor Symbolic Memorial consists of the following segments on 3.3 acres (13,000 m²) that can be visited:
- The Gates of Time: Monumental twin gates frame the moment of destruction -9:02- and mark the formal entrances to the Memorial. 9:01 represents the last moments of peace and its opposite, 9:03, represents the first moments of recovery.
- Reflecting Pool: Gently flowing water soothing wounds with calming sounds and providing a peaceful setting for quiet thoughts.
- Children's Area: A wall of hand-painted tiles painted by children sent to Oklahoma City in 1995 and a series of chalkboards creates an opportunity for children to share their feelings.
- Rescuers' Orchard: A grove of fruit and flowering trees surrounds and protects the Survivor's Tree.
- The "Survivor Tree:" A 70 year old American elm bears witness to the violence of April 19 and now stands as a profound symbol of human resilience.
- The Memorial Fence: Originally installed to protect the site, the Memorial Fence continues to display items left by visitors, which are dedicated to all involved.
The National Memorial Center and the Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism are the other two components. The Memorial Center is open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.. The Museum Center is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days.
External links
- Oklahoma City National Memorial (http://www.nps.gov/okci/index.htm) - National Park Service
- Oklahoma City National Memorial (http://www.nationalparksgallery.com/parks/Oklahoma-City-National-Memorial) - National Parks Gallery
- [1] (http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org) - Oklahoma City National Memorial: Main Page